January

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.

PSALM 20:4 NLT

JANUARY 1

Book of Life

Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.

PSALM 139:16 NRSV

It’s the day of new beginnings and you might be feeling a mixture of emotions. There is bound to be excitement about the possibilities that are waiting just around the corner, but there also might be overwhelming thoughts about the trials that could lie ahead or fear of the unknown.

Whatever your thoughts and feelings are about this day, remember that you have the spirit of Christ in your heart and mind, ready to help you in all of your decisions and strengthening you through any challenges. Head into this day with the confidence that he created you and already knows who you are, and who you are going to become!

Lord, thank you that you know me better than I know myself because you created me. Give me courage to take on this year with grace and skill, knowing that you are right with me.

JANUARY 2

Family History

I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

PSALM 89:1 NIV

If you think back through your family history, where did the message of Jesus start? You might have a long history of believers, or you might be the first one of your family to believe. Either way, God allows his message to transfer throughout the generations.

Thank the Lord that you have either been a part of a long heritage of faith, or that you are the very first fresh beginning of a faith that will go beyond you. Sing of the love of your Lord!

God, I am so thankful that the story of your steadfast love is passed on through generations. Help me to remember that I am a significant part of passing on this truth.

JANUARY 3

Blessed with Peace

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

PSALM 29:11 NIV

What are the most relaxed times of your day or week? Is it when you go for a walk, or sit on the porch in the evening? It could be that first waking moment of your day when everything is quiet and calm. Peace is a very big part of the story of relaxing, whether it is having a calm spirit, a still body, or a still mind. We crave those moments in our ever increasingly busy world.

Before you approach the busy times, ask the Lord for peace. The psalm here says that he gives strength and blesses with peace. Rely on that promise, drink it in, until you feel equipped for the day ahead.

Lord, thank you that I have this moment right now to still my heart, mind, and body. I accept the blessing of peace that you have promised.

JANUARY 4

Pushed Back

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.

PSALM 118:13 NIV

When you watch the way wild animals behave when they are trapping their prey, one of the main strategies is to corner their prey so there is nowhere to escape. The picture in this verse is like this except the corner looks more like a cliff’s edge!

Have there been times in your life when you felt like you were up against a wall, either with the pressure of other people, or with something that you got yourself into? You may have felt like there was no relief or escape. These are the times when you need your great rescuer to show up on and help you in your troubles. God will not allow you to fall.

Lord, thank you for rescuing me every time I have felt backed into a corner. Thank you that you come to my aid in my times of distress.

JANUARY 5

This Is the Day

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

PSALM 118:24 NLT

When winter is fully upon us, it is not as warm outside, and there’s not as much life in nature. If you live where winter is cold, you may be growing tired of boots, hats, scarves (well, maybe not scarves), and puffy, shapeless coats. Looking outside, there may not be much to feel particularly joyful about.

The simple truth is that God made today, and he made it with you in it. As you go into your day today, either with excitement or dread, encourage yourself that this is a day purposed by the Lord, for you. Make the most out of it!

Lord, I wasn’t that happy to get out of bed this morning, but now that I am up, I commit this day to you and thank you for making it.

JANUARY 6

From Birth

From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.

PSALM 71:6 NIV

Although mothers have to go through an incredible process to birth a child, they are not ultimately responsible for the first breath of that child. This is a gift from God—from our development in the womb, to our first breath, to our growth.

We rely on our Creator and his perfect design. It’s something worth recognizing and praising him for. Your life is from him, and through him. Rejoice in this beautiful gift today.

Creator God, thank you for the beauty of the created human form. Thank you that I am a part of this beautiful creation. I choose to praise you for creating me just as I am.

JANUARY 7

Troubled Thoughts

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught.

PSALM 55:1-2 NIV

Life is not always joyful. Often we search the Scriptures for comfort, assurance, and hope, and we will certainly find those things there. But we will also find words like the ones here. Ones that immediately feel like we had written them ourselves.

In times of pain and distress, particularly emotional and mental stress, it’s amazing how much it helps to know that we are not alone. It has been a part of the human condition to sometimes feel ignored by God and to feel troubled and distraught. But you are not alone. Take comfort in that today.

Lord, on those mornings when I wake up and feel troubled, help me to remember that I am not alone. You are always with me.

JANUARY 8

Crushed

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

PSALM 34:18 NLT

What are the things that break your heart? Thoughts of people in poverty, your own child struggling with friends, a parent who has suddenly passed away? Life is full of heartache. The greater the love, the greater the loss. We hurt because we love. We can find some courage in that thought as we navigate difficult emotions.

To be able to love is an amazing gift, and life wouldn’t be so full if we didn’t have love. Enjoy the love you have and try to find a way to appreciate loss because it tells you how fully you are able to love.

Lord, thank you for giving me a heart that is capable of loving others. Please rescue my crushed spirit when I am in the middle of heartache. Be my comfort and my strength.

JANUARY 9

Lit Up

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

PSALM 119:105 NKJV

Walking around in the dark is no fun. You can trip over things, be frightened by shadows, and feel lost. As soon as you have any amount of light, your assurance comes back. You can see the space in front of your feet and the path directly ahead. You can move your source of light around to find out what those lurking shadows are.

Everything is better with the light, and this Scripture says the best way to have light in our lives is to know God’s Word. Take some time to soak yourself in his Word and let it be a light for your path today.

Lord, reveal the truth of your Word to me today. Guide me as I step into each choice that I make along the way.

JANUARY 10

Hear Me

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

PSALM 4:1 NKJV

Who do you call when you are feeling upset and stressed? Is there someone in your life who you know will listen to you in your time of need?

It is a good feeling when someone really listens to you. Are you confident that God is always near and ready for you to call on him when you are distressed? Call out to him when you are troubled and wait for his mercy.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me when I have been troubled and stressed with circumstances in my life. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

JANUARY 11

Considering Grief

You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

PSALM 10:14 NIV

The problems of life are seen all around us sometimes on a daily basis. We see troubled families, poverty, and sickness. Maybe you are experiencing some of these afflictions now. It is comforting to know that God sees all of your trouble.

God doesn’t stand at a distance. This Scripture says that he takes your grief in his hand. Take his hand today. He is your good father who cares so much for you.

Lord, help me trust you as a good father who is always there to help me in my time of...